Handle for carton

ABSTRACT

A preformed foldable blank made of pliable sheet material, e.g., polyethylene coated boxboard, made use of in forming a bail-like handle that is attached to a gabled top carton for packaging various products. The blank includes a plurality of panels formed by various predetermined fold lines. Folding the blank in a predetermined sequence along the fold lines provides a retracted handle which is fixedly attached to the crown of the carton by staples. The handle remains retracted while the carton is processed through the normally automatic casing and filling sequence, while stored and while being transported before use. The user, e.g., retail customer, expands or opens the handle at the time of purchase for the purpose of conveniently carrying the carton. Breakaway tabs provide reinforcement of the attachment means of the handle to the carton and hold the handle in its retracted form prior to use. The breakaway tabs are separated from the remaining structure by the user prior to expanding the handle.

limited States Patent 3,627,ll9d

ABSTRACT: A preformed foldable blank made of pliable sheet material. e.g., polyethylene coated boxboard, made use of in forming a bail-like handle that is attached to a gabled top carton for packaging various products. The blank includes a plurality of panels formed by various predetermined fold lines. Folding the blank in a predetermined sequence along the fold lines provides a retracted handle which is fixedly attached to the crown of the carton by staples. The handle remains retracted while the carton is processed through the normally automatic casing and filling sequence, while stored and while being transported before use. The user, e.g., retail customer, expands or opens the handle at the time of purchase for the purpose of conveniently carrying the carton. Breakaway tabs provide reinforcement of the attachment means of the handle to the carton and hold the handle in its retracted form prior to use. The breakaway tabs are separated from the remaining structure by the user prior to expanding the handle.

PATENTED DEC I 4 IQTI 3 62? 19A SHEET 1 [IF 2 FIG.

INVENTOR. WILLIAM A. H ESTER BY hymn 2 PATENTEU DEC 1 4 ml sum 2 OF 2 HANDLE FOR CARTON BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to handles for cartons, and more particularly relates to expandable handles for. gabled top cartons used for packaging various products.

2. Description of the Prior Art Food cartons having a gabledtop with a built in pouring spout are well known especially for packing liquid food products, e.g., fresh milk and the like. Various sizes of these cartons are used in the dairy field, i.e., one quart size, two quart size and the more recent one gallon size. It haslong been recognized that a handle is highly desirable for these cartons, particularly the larger ones. Additionally, some dairy outlets prefer to unitize a plurality of smaller cartons to make up a larger package embodying an arrangementhaving one handle, for example, the Wilcox U.S. Pat. No., Re. 25,966.

During the past decade numerous handles for the gable top canons have been patented, each having peculiar structural features directed toward certain objects. However, most of the handles, when installed prior to filling, prevent the carton from being cased by an automatic casing machine of the fin gripping type. This. leaves one of these alternatives: First, reverting to manual casing or secondly going to a different type of casing machine, thirdly placing the handle on the carton after it has been filled. The first and second alternatives are expensive. The third alternative preferably is accomplished by an elaborate and expensive mechanism, e.g., The Flynn U.S. Pat. No. 3,056,138 which solves the problem of attaching handles to filled containers. Aside from the cost of practicing the Flynn U.S. Pat. No. 3,056,138, there is an additional problem associated with stacking the loaded cartons. First, due to the size and structure of some of these. handles the weight of the stacked cartons cause objectionable breakage of the handle. Some dairy outlets simply ignore the handle problem and depend upon he customer to acquire and use separate carrying devices which removably engage the typical gabled top carton, either singularly or in pairs, e.g., the Hidding U.S. Pat. No. 3,297,350. Prior art known to theapplicant, in addition to the above referenced art, includes the Stuart U.S. Pat. No. 3,361,333; the Linda et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,373,924; the Hidding U.S. Pat. No. 3,384,292 and the Leiter U.S. Pat. No. 3,481,528.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed towards overcoming the disadvantages and problems relative to previous handles'for cartons having a gabled top. The concept of the present invention is to provide a very compact, i.e., when retractably folded, inexpensive handle for a carton having a gabled top, particularly adaptable for heavy cartons, e.g., the one gallon size or may be equally adaptable for lightweight cartons, e.g., the one and/or two quart size, as well as unitizing two individual cartons. An important feature of the handleof the present invention is that it may be fixedly attached to the carton at the time of fabrication and the carton will readily clear the automatic casing device, e.g., multifold machine. It should be appreciated that the handle of the present invention in no way interferes with any of the automation associated with processing the liquid food product, e.g., transfer, casing, and/or vacuum mechanisms.

A further object is to provide a handle which is readily accessible but will not be damaged when the cases are stacked. The handle of the present invention is intended to remain in the retracted state while the carton is being stored or transported in cases before use. At the point of sale, the purchaser or user readily expands or opens the handle for carrying purposes. The handle is expanded by simply grasping the left and right midportions respectively with the thumb and forefinger which easily breaks the left and right midportion from their respective left and right reinforcement tabs. Lifting action upon the left and right midportion'of the handle causes them to move upward so as to form an arcuate baillike gripping portion which will accommodate one, two or three fingers for easy carrying.

Also, the position of the staple which fixedly attaches the handle of the present invention to the gabled top carton is an important concept. Added strength of the handle to the carton attachment means is achieved by aligning the crown of the staples diagonally. This feature enables the handle to carry a heavier load without failing, i.e., becoming torn or detached from the carton. This diagonal alignment of the staple provides an elongated holding means for the sheet material of the handle, as opposed to asingle point holding means for a staple which is positioned horizontally or vertically. Stated another way, the force applied to the staple that is holding the handle which is supporting a heavy load, has a direction of pull that is perpendicular to the crown of the staple so that the pull is spread across the entire width of the crown of the staple rather than across the thickness of the wire stock of the staple.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a plan view of the pliable sheet material blank used in forming the handle of the present invention.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show two of the stages in the assembly of the handle.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the completely assembled handle showing a typical attachment environment to the gabled carton, the carton being phantomized by broken lines.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view identical to FIG. 4 except the handle of the present invention has been expanded or opened preparatory for carrying purposes.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken as on the line Vl-Vl of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken as on the line Vll-Vll of FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a pliable sheet material blank used to form a handle of the present invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show two of the stages in the assembly of the second embodiment of the handle.

FIG. II shows the fully assembled handle of the second embodiment in a typical attachment environment to a gabled top carbon, the carton being phantomized by broken lines.

FIG. 12 is a plan view .Of a third embodiment of a pliable sheet material blank used to form a handle of the present invention.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show two of the stages in the assembly of the third embodiment handle.

FIG. 15 shows the fully assembled handle of the third embodimentin a typical attachment environment to a gabled top carton, the carton being phantomized by broken lines.

FIG. 16 depicts a feature of the handle of the present invention wherein two gabled top cartons are unitized by one handle, enabling the two cartons to be carried by one hand, the two cartons being phantomized by broken lines.

FIG. 17 is an elevational view of a typical staple for attaching the handle to the carton.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a flat generally rectangular shaped blank 11 made of pliable sheet material. Transversely scored foldlines i3, i5 divide the blank lll generally into an elongated midportion l7 and two generally square shaped end portions IQ, 2i. Longitudinally scored foldline 23 bisects the blank ill into a left side, designated by the letter L and a right side designated by the letter R.

The end portion 19 includes two diagonally scored foldlines 29, 31 converging inwardly forming an angle 33 having an apex adjacent the intersections of the transverse foldlines i3 and the longitudinal foldline 23. The end portion 2i includes two diagonally scored foldlines 35, 37 converging inwardly forming an angle39 having an apex adjacent the intersection of the transverse foldline 15 and the longitudinal foldline 23. it

should be apparent that the longitudinal foldline 23 bisects the angles 33, 39 respectively providing a left and right binding panels 49, 51 on the end portion 19 and a left and right binding panel 53, 55 on the end portion 21. Additionally, the diagonal foldlines 29, 31 and the appropriate portion of the transverse foldline 13 respectively provide left and right generally triangular shaped spacing panels 41, 43 on the end 19. Further, the diagonal foldlines 35,37 and the appropriate portion of the transverse foldline 15 respectively provide left and right generally triangular shaped spacing panels 45, 47 on the end 21. The longitudinal foldline 23, extending the length of the midportion l7, divides the midportion 17 respectively into a left and right gripping panel 57, 59.

The blank 11 of the present invention respectively includes left and right elongated reinforcement tabs 61, 63 having the longitudinal axes thereof extending parallel with the longitudinal axis of the midportion 17. The left and right reinforcement tabs 61 63 are integrally attached respectively to the outermost edges of the left and right gripping panels 57, 59. The left and right tabs 61, 63, respectively being provided with elongated pieces 65, 67, are partially severed from their respective gripping panels 57, 59 to allow for total breakaway of the tabs 61, 63 just prior to gripping the underside of the gripping panels 57, 59 when carrying a carton 69 by the handle 71. This feature will be more fully understood when the remaining structure has been disclosed.

Each of the end portions 19,- 21 respectively are provided with an aperture 73, 75 adjacent the apex of the respective angles 33, 39. The apertures 73, 75 allow for stress relief of the pliable sheet material. It will be appreciated after the remaining structure has been disclosed, that the blank 11 preferably is assembled in such a manner that many thicknesses of the sheet material converge at the area circumscribed by the apertures 73, 75, accordingly, the apertures 73, 75 obviate the problem of stress and reduce the overall thickness of the assembled handle 71, helping to facilitate compatibility of the carton 69 with the automatic casing and/or processing equipment. 7

An important feature of the present invention is the shape of the blank 11. It will be appreciated that the blank 11 preferably is shaped substantially as depicted in FIG. 1. Particularly important are the curved edges 77, 79, 81, 83 adjacent the tenninal ends of the transversal foldlines 13, 15. The curved edges 77, 79, 81, 83 obviate an inherent tendency of the sheet material to tear when the handle 71 is subjected to carrying a relatively heavy load. The curved edges 77, 79, 81, 83, as opposed to straight edges forming an angle converging at the terminal ends of thefoldlines 13, 15, enable the handle 71 to support a greater load because the curve distributes the load inwardly toward the midportion 17 and outwardly toward the respective end portions 19, 21. It should be apparent from the FIGS. 1 through that the tab 61, being integrally attached to the left gripping panel 57, is partially severed from the panel 57 by the pierce 65 leaving at least two relatively narrow holding portions 85, 87. Further, the tab 63, being integrally attached to the right gripping panel 59, is partially severed from the panel 59 by the pierce 67, leaving at least two holding portions 89, 91.

In erecting the handle 71 from the blank 11 and starting with the blank in the disposition shown in FIG. 1, the end portion 19 is folded from right to left over the midportion 17 along the scored foldline 13. Next, the end portion 21 is folded from left to right over the midportion 17 along the scored foldline 15, forming a shape substantially as illustrated in FlG. 2. lt should be apparent from H6. 2 that the outermost edges 19, 21' of the end portions 19, 21 abut one against the other. Next, the left side L is folded downwardly over the right side R along the scored foldline 23, forming the completed handle 71 substantially as viewed in FIG. 3.

It should be understood that when making this last fold along the foldline 23, the double thickness of sheet material used to fonn the blank 11 causes the end portions 19, 21' to shift slightly. Accordingly, the respective tapered edges 19",

21" form an angle less than 180 when the blank 11 is folded to the shape substantially as illustrated in FIG. 2 and the same edges 19", 21" shift so as to form an angle substantially equal to 180 when the blank 11 is folded to form the completely erected handle 71 substantially as illustrated in FIG. 3. Further, the edges 19', 21' are contiguously abutting when the blank 11 is folded to the shape substantially as illustrated in FIG. 2 and the edges 19', 21' shift to a new position, as best viewed in FIG. 5, when the blank 11 is folded to form the completely erected handle 71. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the degree of taper to the edges 19", 21"will vary according to the thickness of the sheet material used to form the blank 11. The object being to design a taper to the edges 19", 21" so that when the last fold is made along the scored foldline 23, the resulting shift of the edges 19", 21" will cause them to substantially form an angle of 180.

The carton 69, having the usual two slanting roof panels 93, 95 terminating at vertical upwardly extended portions which are sealed together to provide a unitary fin or gabled ridge 97, has the typical provisions for opening one gabled side thereof which provides a self-contained pouring spout (not shown).

The assembled handle 71, being tightly compressed, straddles the unitary gabled ridge 97 of the carton 69, i.e., the left side L of the blank 11 contiguously engages the one side of the ridge 97 and the right side R of the blank 11 contiguously 'en gages the opposite side of the ridge 97, and is fixedly attached thereto in any well known manner, e.g., a staple 99 (preferably two) as best viewed in FIG. 17. Obviously, the handle preferably is attached to the carton on the side of the ridge 97 opposite the self-contained pouring spout so as not to interfere with the normal function thereof. It should be apparent that the reinforcement tab 61 overlaps a portion of the two left binding panels 49, 53 of the respective end portions 19, 21. Additionally, it should be understood that the reinforcement tab 63 overlaps a like portion of the two right bind ing panels 51, 55 of the respective end portions 19, 21. in other words, the staple 99 (FIG. 17), having a crown 101, a pair of legs 103, 105, and clinch portions 107, is forcibly driven through the following structure of the blank 11 and the carton 69: The staple 99, on the right as viewed in FIG. 4, is forcibly driven through the handle 71 so that the legs 103, 105 pierce the tab 61, the left binding panel 49, the ridge 97 of the carton 69, the right binding panel 51, and finally, through the right reinforcement tab 63. The crown 101 of the staple 99 contiguously engages the tab 61 and the clinch portions 107 of the staple 99 contiguously engage the tab 63. The staple 99, on the left as viewed in FIG. 4, is forcibly driven through the handle 71 and the carton 69'so that the legs 103, 105 pierce the left reinforcement tab 61, the left binding panel 53, the

ridge 97 of the carton 69, the right binding panel 55, and finally, the right reinforcement tab 63. The crown 101 of the staple 99 contiguously engages the reinforcement tab 61 and the clinch portions 107 of the staple 99 contiguously engage the reinforcement tab 63.

The staples 99, as viewed in FIG. 4, are orientated so as to have the longitudinal axis of the crown 101 substantially parallel with the uppermost edge of the ridge 97 of the carton 69. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not to be so limited since the staples 99 may also be orientated so as to have the longitudinal axis of the crown 101 extending diagonally with respect to the uppermost edge of the ridge 97 of the carton 69. in this regard, the staples 99 preferably would be positioned so that one staple 99 is adjacent the ou termost edge of the tab 61 and the other staple 99 would be adjacent the opposite outermost end of the tab 61. This feature is best illustrated with respect to embodiments yet to be described (FIGS. 15 and 16).

The tabs 61, 63, being integrally attached respectively to the left and right gripping panels 57, 59 maintain the assembled handle 71 in a retractable compact position. More importantly, the tabs 61, 63 provide reinforcement for the attachment means of the handle 71 to the carton 69, otherwise the pliable sheet material alone, being relatively thin so as to be compatible with the automatic casing and/or processing equipment, might shear. This shearing tendency is concenblank 11 in four respects: First, the blank 211 is void of apertrated at the area adjacent to the staples 99, i.e., when the handle 71 is expanded and is supporting a heavy load, particularly when the carton 69 to which the handle 71 is attached is of a large size. The tabs 61, 63 provide an additional thickness of sheet material for the left and right sides of the handle 71 obviating the likelihood of the pliable sheet material shearing under a load equal to the weight of the contained produce, e.g., milk or the like. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the tabs 61, 63 or other portions of the blank 11 may be laminated with a structurally strong plastic, e.g., Mylar or the like to further strengthen the handle 71.

The handle 71 of the present invention is displaced from the retracted position (FIG. 4) to the expanded position (FIG. 5) by the user just prior to the time of intended use. In this regard, the user preferably forces his fingernails into the left pierce 65 and the right pierce 67 of the midportion 17 breaking the holding portions 85, 87, 89, 91 which allows the user to grip the undersides of the gripping panels 57, 59. Next, the user moves the left and right gripping panels 57, 59 upwardly which causes the spacing panels 41, 43, 45, 47 to bend outwardly from the ridge 97 of the carton 69 along their respective diagonal foldlines 29, 31, 35, 37. It should be understood that the left and right gripping panels 57,.59 form an arcuate baillike handle by being moved upwardly as they unfold along the transverse foldlines 13, 15, as best viewed in HO. 5. The user may now insert one, two or three fingers through an opening 109, formed by the underside of the gripping panels 37, 59 and the appropriate portions of the binding panels 49, 51, 33, 55 immediately adjacent the longitudinally scored foldline 23, to facilitate carrying the carton 69.

An alternate embodiment is shown in FIG. 16 wherein the handle 71 of the present invention overlappingly engages the gabled ridge 97 of two separate canons 69', 69''. It should be understood that the cartons 69', 69" are preferably of a size smaller than the one gallon size, e.g., the two quart size. In this regard, the handle 71 of the present invention unitizes the two cartons 69', 69" providing a means of carrying two cartons with one hand. If desired, the tow cartons 69 and 69" may be separated one from the other by holding the carton from the bottom, i.e., one carton 69' in one hand, and the other carton 69" in the other hand, and merely spreading the cartons apart. It should be understood that the cartons 69', 69" each have at least one staple 99 attached as previously described, i.e., one staple 99 being adjacent the one outer edge of the tabs 61, 63 and the other staple 99- being adjacent the opposite ends of the tabs 61, 63, substantially as viewed in FIG. 16. Separation of the two cartons 69', 69", as above described, is simplified by the fact that the height of the carton acts as leverage and pries one of the two staples 99 from its engagement with the respective carton 69' or 69", depending upon which one weakens first. it should also be understood that the pouring spouts (not shown) of the two cartons 69', 69" are directed away from the handle 71 so that the attachment thereof does not effect the normal opening of the integral pouring spout.

Referring now to FIG. 8-, wherein a second embodiment of the blank 11 is shown and is character referenced by the numeral 211. It should be apparent by comparing FIGS. 1 and 8 that the blank 211 has considerable structure identical to the blank 11: First, the blank 211 has the two transversely scored foldlines 13, 15 dividing the blank 211 into an elongated midportion 17 and two generally square shaped end portions 19, 21, a longitudinally scored foldline 23 running the length thereof intersecting the transverse foldlines I3, 15 bisecting the blank 211 into a left side 1.. and a right side R. Secondly, the end portions 19, 21 each have a respective pair of diagonally scored foldlines 29, 31, and 35, 37 converging inwardly forming respective angles 33, 39. The apices of the angles 33, 39 are located adjacent the respective intersections of the transversal foldlines 13, 15 and the longitudinal foldlines 23. The structure of the blank 211 differsfrom that of the tures.

Second, the blank 211 is void of reinforcement tabs.

Third, the end portions 19, 21 of the blank 211 are relatively longer in relationship to the respective midportion 17 so that when the end portions 19, 21 are folded inwardly along their respective transverse foldlines 13, 15, they have an overlapping engagement substantially as viewed in FIG. 9, as opposed to the abutting relationship of the blank 11 as viewed in FIG. 2. Additionally, the end portion 19 is more perfectly square shaped and is noticeably void of the tapered edges.

Fourth, the blank 211 is noticeably void of the curved edges 77, 79, 31, 83 of the blank 11. The blank 211 has straight edges 277, 279, 291, 283 tapering inwardly from the end portions 19, 21 toward the center of the midportion 17, substantially as illustrated in FIG. 8. It will be appreciated that the straight edges 277, 279, 281, 283 provide substantially equal resistance to the tendency for tearing when the handle is supporting a relatively heavy load. I have found that this tearing tendency is more prevalent when the edges 277, 279, 281, 283 respectively form an angle having an apex adjacent the terminal ends of the transverse foldlines 13, 15, accordingly, structure having configurations of this nature preferably is avoided.

It should be understood that the above mentioned scored foldlines 13, 15, 23, 29, 31, 35, 37 of the blank 211 provides substantially identical panels for substantially identical purposes as the corresponding foldlines for the blank 11. Accordingly, a detailed description of the respective panels for the blank 211 and their working relationship one with the other should be considered to have been previously described when the blank 1 1 was fully described.

The blank 211 is erected into a handle 271 starting with the blank in the disposition shown in FIG. 8. The only difference in erecting the handle 271 from that of erecting the handle 71 is that the end portion 19, having a more perfectly square shape is always folded inwardly along the transverse foldline 13 before the end portion 21 is folded inwardly along the transverse foldline 15, substantially as illustrated in FIG. 9. The obvious reason for this is the tapered edges of the end portion 21 are for the specific purpose of forming a relatively horizontal edge when the blank 211 has been folded along its longitudinal foldline 23 so as to have a shape substantially as illustrated in FIG. 10, i.e., the thickness of the pliable sheet material from which the blank 211 is formed causes a slight shifting of the edges as was above described pertaining to the blank 11. However, the overlapping end portion 21 forces the end portion 19 to contiguously engage the underneath side of the midportion 17 enabling the shape of the end portion 19 to have a more perfectly squared shape and when the blank 211 is erected into a handle 271 (FIG. 19) the lower edges (Left and Right) of the handle are substantially horizontal.

The handle 271 is positioned over the ridge 97 ofthe carton 69 in the same manner as was described for the handle 71, i.e., with the left side 1. being on one side of the ridge 97 and the right side R being on the opposite side of the ridge 97 of the carton 69. The handle 271 is fixedly attached to the ridge 97 by staples 99. The preferred position for the staples 99 is substantially as illustrated in FIG. 11, i.e., two staples 99, each having their respective longitudinal axis of the crown 101 substantially parallel with the respective diagonal foldlines 29, 31 and 35, 37. The advantage of this orientation of the staples 99 was previously described, i.e., briefly the handle 271 can support a heavier load prior to failing. lt should be understood that the handle 2'71 may be fixedly attached to the carton 69 with the longitudinal axis of the staples 99 being substantially parallel with the horizontal uppermost edge of the ridge 97 of the carton 99 without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

Referring now to FIG. 12 wherein a third embodiment of the blank 11 is illustrated and is character referenced by the numeral 311, the structure of the blank 311 differs from that of the blank 11 substantially in only one respect: The blank 311 includes additional respective mirror image left and right reinforcement tabs 361, having longitudinal axes extending parallel with the longitudinal axes of the first reinforcement tabs 61, 63 are integrally attached thereto. Additionally, the blank 311 includes respective scored foldlines 365, 367 extending parallel with the longitudinal axes of the tabs 61, 63 so that when the additional reinforcement tabs 361, 363 are folded along the respective foldlines 365, 376, their outer perimeter substantially coincides with the outer perimeters of the contiguous reinforcement tabs 61, 63.

The blank 311 is erected to form a handle character referenced by the numeral 371, having a shape substantially as viewed in FIG. 14. In erecting the handle 371 from the blank 311 and starting with the blank in the disposition shown in FIG. 12, the sequence differs from that of erecting the handle 71 from the blank 11 in one respect: The sequence for erecting the handle 71, i.e., as previously described, is followed step by step so as to form a partially assembled handle 371, as viewed in FIG. 13. The additional steps required to completely assemble the handle 371 is that the additional tabs 361, 363 are folded outwardly from the body of the handle 371 along their respective foldlines 365, 367 so as to form a handle 371 substantially as illustrated in H6. 14. If desired, the tabs 361, 363 may be folded inwardly instead of outwardly, and with either the tabs 361, 363 being in contiguous engagement with tabs 61, 63 or with the tabs 61, 361 and 63, 363 respectively embracing the left and right sides of the handle 371, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

it should be appreciated that the handle 371, having the additional reinforcement tabs 361, 363 is capable of supporting a much heavier load than eitherv of the other two handles, i.e., handle 71 and handle 271. Further, the handle 71 has a distinct advantage over the handles 271, 371 in that it is very compact, i.e., the handle 71 folds up very tightly against the ridge 97 of the carton 69. This is a highly desirable, if not mandatory, feature when the cartons 69 are intended to be processed through automatic casing devices, etc. However, added strength, i.e., ability to carry a heavier load, is achieved by overlapping the end portions 19, 21, as disclosed in the structure of the handle 271, and by the reinforcing 361, 363 of handle 371, a desirable feature if compactness is not a prerequisite. It should be understood that while the handle 371 is shown in F 1G. 16 for unitizing two cartons 69, the scope of this invention is intended to include each of the three handles 71, 271, 371 accomplishing this function. Also, it will be understood that apertures such as apertures 73, 75 may provided if desired or if needed, in handles 271, 371 without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Placing the staples 99 adjacent the respective foldlines 29, 31, and 35, 37, i.e., having the longitudinal axis of the crown 101 of the staple 99 disposed substantially at an angle of 45 from the horizontal uppermost edge of the ridge 97 of the carton 69, enables each of the handles 71, 271, 371 to support a heavier load than if the staples 99 were placed on a horizontal or perpendicular alignment. it should be understood that the longitudinal axes of the crown 101 of the staples 99 may be placed parallel or diagonal with respect to the uppermost edge of the ridge 97 of the carton 99 for either of the handles 71, 271, 371 without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

The sequence for expanding or opening the handle 371 is identical to the sequence previously disclosed for erecting the handle 71. Obviously, the handle 271, being void of the reinforcement tabs and the coacting holding portions 85, 87, 89, 91 is expanded or opened in a like manner with the preliminary steps of breaking the holding portions 85, 87, 89, 91 being eliminated.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention.

1 claim:

1. The combination with a gabled top carton having slanting roof panels each terminating at a vertical upwardly extended portion which are sealed together to provide a unitary gable ridge, of a handle comprising a foldable blank of pliable sheet material, said blank having transversal foldlines adjacent the ends thereof dividing said blank into" an elongated midportion and two generally square shaped end portions, said blank having a longitudinal foldline running the length thereof intersecting said transversal foldlines and bisecting said blank into a left side and a right side, said end portions each having two diagonal foldlines converging inwardly forming an angle having an apex adjacent said intersections of said transversal foldlines and said longitudinal foldline, said diagonal foldlines and said transversal foldlines respectively defining a left and right generally triangular shaped spacing panel on each of said end portions, said longitudinal and respective said diagonal foldlines defining a left and right binding panel on each of said end portions, said blank including a left and right elongated reinforcement tab extending parallel with said midportion integrally attached respectively to the outermost edges of said left and right sides of said midportion, said left and right tabs being provided with an elongated pierce, said pierce partially severing said tab from said midportion to allow for total breakaway of said tab just prior to using said handle, each of said end portions respectively being provided with an aperture adjacent said apex of said angle, said blank being folded into the shape of said handle, said end portions being respectively doubled inwardly along said transversal foldlines having the outermost ends thereof abutting one another with said left tab overlapping the outermost portions of said left binding panels of both of said end portions and said right tab overlapping the outermost portions of said right binding panels of both of said end portions, said midportion and said end portions doubled inwardly along said longitudinal foldline being tightly compressed and retractably held by said tabs, said handle straddling the unitary gable ridge of the carton having said left side of said blank on one side of said ridge and said right side on the opposite side of said ridge, and including attachment means for fixedly attaching said handle to the ridge of the carton so that said breakaway of said left and right tabs allows said spacing panels to provide a spaced apart relationship respectively of said left and right midportions from said left and right binding panels having said respective left and right reinforcement tabs overlappingly attached thereto to allow gripping the underside of said left and right sides of said midportion when carrying the carton by said handle.

2. The handle of claim 1, in which said attachment means includes at least one staple, said staple having a crown, a pair of legs and a clinch, said legs being forcibly driven through said left and right reinforcement tabs, said left and right binding panels and said gable ridge of the carton including said crown of said staple being contiguously engaged with either of said left and right reinforcement tabs and said clinch of said staple contiguously engaging the opposite of said left and right reinforcement tabs so as to tightly compress and retractably hold respectively said left and right midportions prior to use of said handle.

3. The handle of claim 2, in which said attachment means includes having said legs of said staple adjacent to said diagonal foldlines of said end portions of said blank with the longitudinal axis of said crown of said staple being parallel to said diagonal foldlines.

4. The handle of claim 1, in which said blank includes additional respective mirror image left and right reinforcement tabs extending parallel with first said reinforcement tabs integrally attached thereto, said blank includes having a fold line extending parallel with said tabs dividing said first and said additional reinforcement tabs providing a double foldable left and right additional reinforcement for said attachment means of said handle.

5. The handle of claim 1 in which said end portions of said blank are disposed in overlapping engagement one with the other when doubled inwardly along said transverse foldlines. 

1. The combination with a gabled top carton having slanting roof panels each terminating at a vertical upwardly extended portion which are sealed together to provide a unitary gable ridge, of a handle comprising a foldable blank of pliable sheet material, said blank having transversal foldlines adjacent the ends thereof dividing said blank into an elongated midportion and two generally square shaped end portions, said blank having a longitudinal foldline running the length thereof intersecting said transversal foldlines and bisecting said blank into a left side and a right side, Said end portions each having two diagonal foldlines converging inwardly forming an angle having an apex adjacent said intersections of said transversal foldlines and said longitudinal foldline, said diagonal foldlines and said transversal foldlines respectively defining a left and right generally triangular shaped spacing panel on each of said end portions, said longitudinal and respective said diagonal foldlines defining a left and right binding panel on each of said end portions, said blank including a left and right elongated reinforcement tab extending parallel with said midportion integrally attached respectively to the outermost edges of said left and right sides of said midportion, said left and right tabs being provided with an elongated pierce, said pierce partially severing said tab from said midportion to allow for total breakaway of said tab just prior to using said handle, each of said end portions respectively being provided with an aperture adjacent said apex of said angle, said blank being folded into the shape of said handle, said end portions being respectively doubled inwardly along said transversal foldlines having the outermost ends thereof abutting one another with said left tab overlapping the outermost portions of said left binding panels of both of said end portions and said right tab overlapping the outermost portions of said right binding panels of both of said end portions, said midportion and said end portions doubled inwardly along said longitudinal foldline being tightly compressed and retractably held by said tabs, said handle straddling the unitary gable ridge of the carton having said left side of said blank on one side of said ridge and said right side on the opposite side of said ridge, and including attachment means for fixedly attaching said handle to the ridge of the carton so that said breakaway of said left and right tabs allows said spacing panels to provide a spaced apart relationship respectively of said left and right midportions from said left and right binding panels having said respective left and right reinforcement tabs overlappingly attached thereto to allow gripping the underside of said left and right sides of said midportion when carrying the carton by said handle.
 2. The handle of claim 1, in which said attachment means includes at least one staple, said staple having a crown, a pair of legs and a clinch, said legs being forcibly driven through said left and right reinforcement tabs, said left and right binding panels and said gable ridge of the carton including said crown of said staple being contiguously engaged with either of said left and right reinforcement tabs and said clinch of said staple contiguously engaging the opposite of said left and right reinforcement tabs so as to tightly compress and retractably hold respectively said left and right midportions prior to use of said handle.
 3. The handle of claim 2, in which said attachment means includes having said legs of said staple adjacent to said diagonal foldlines of said end portions of said blank with the longitudinal axis of said crown of said staple being parallel to said diagonal foldlines.
 4. The handle of claim 1, in which said blank includes additional respective mirror image left and right reinforcement tabs extending parallel with first said reinforcement tabs integrally attached thereto, said blank includes having a fold line extending parallel with said tabs dividing said first and said additional reinforcement tabs providing a double foldable left and right additional reinforcement for said attachment means of said handle.
 5. The handle of claim 1 in which said end portions of said blank are disposed in overlapping engagement one with the other when doubled inwardly along said transverse foldlines. 